Skip your Christmas party

THE CAMPAIGN “Adopt A Town For Christmas” encourages individuals, families, barkada, groups and corporations to use some or all (if they’re so inclined) of their Christmas party funds to bring cheer to the most affected parts of Visayas. The money can be used for hot meals, to build a shelter or provide other basic needs for families devastated by the typhoon. “Adopt  A Town” can provide assistance in finding a town or a barangay to adopt, and planning relief efforts in the area.

Get more info at www.facebook.com/adoptatownforchristmas.

Buy new underwear

RockEd Philippines’ ongoing “New Underwear” fund drive welcomes donations of new underwear—yes, new. Drop off your donations at Route 196 along Katipunan Extension (near Blue Ridge area), Quezon City, or e-mail [email protected] for its Makati drop-off point. New underwear for men, women and children in different sizes are welcome. You can also drop off beddings, towels, socks and shirts.

Give hugs

Send hugs to the children of Visayas in the form of cuddly stuffed animals. #1000BearHugs is collecting toys until Dec. 8. Needed are huggable toys for kids ages 3 to 12. Please don’t donate torn toys, hard toys, battery-powered toys and those with mechanical moving parts, as well as guns, swords and other weapon-like toys. There are numerous drop-off points: the FLCD Circle at UP Diliman; UST Simbahayan at the Tan Yan Kee Building; Ateneo High School (look for Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ, the associate principal); Miriam High School; Angelicum; Conquer Sports and Outdoors (2/F, Robinsons Pioneer); Bomb Proof (2/F Robinsons Galleria); De La Salle University Dasmariñas USC; and more.

Check out the Twitter account @1000BearHugs for more details.

Plastic can be fantastic

Gemilang International, a company that sells a machine that converts acid water into alkaline water, is accepting donations of liter-sized or smaller empty, reusable plastic containers or bottles. Please don’t bring glass or breakable containers. The staff will clean each thoroughly, and refill the bottles with alkaline water for safe drinking (it’s healthy water) and also acid water that had been separated through electrolysis to be used for wound cleansing, bathing and washing clothes. Bottles will be tightly sealed and labeled. They will do this free of charge. This is a great way for the people in affected areas in Visayas to ease their problem of where to get potable and clean water. Gemilang International has partnered with Operation Blessing and World Vision to bring these directly to the affected areas.

Its office is at 44 Danny Floro St., Bagong Ilog, Pasig. Call 6546936 or 0915-5566899.

Generosity with wings

“Youlenda Hand,” a project for the benefit of survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” focuses on an often neglected need during times of calamity—the sanitary needs of women and children. It is collecting sanitary pads, diapers and undergarments for the women and children of Visayas. Drop-off points include Moonleaf Katipunan (FB Dela Rosa Street, Quezon City); UP College of Mass Communication (Ylanan Street ,UP Diliman); UP Diliman Gender Office (Palma Hall Annex); Ateneo Law Students’ Activity Center (Rockwell Center, Makati); and Ilocos Norte National High School Department of Values Education (Ablan Avenue,  Laoag City).

Visit www.facebook.com/thebutterflyproject.ph or e-mail [email protected].

Join a raffle

In an effort to raise funds for typhoon survivors, United Folding Bikers will be raffling off three bikes—one Doppelganger 212; one Mars Kingdom Bike; and one Biceco Folding Bike. Raffle tickets are available for P100 each. All proceeds will be forwarded to institutions helping those in the affected areas. Raffle draw will be on Nov. 30 at the AS Parking Lot in UP Diliman.

Log on to www.facebook.com/groups/UnitedFoldingBikers.

Grab the ‘Goody Bag’

“Since the beginning of the typhoon, we had been feeling restless, itching to know how everyone in the Yolanda-affected areas are,” said Chely Esguerra. While waiting for news, the people behind ChannelGood Advocacy Communications and The Curious Studio decided to focus their energy on a fund-raising initiative they call “The Goody Bag.” They are now selling bags designed by illustrator, tattoo artist and graphic designer Wiji Lacsamana for P250 each—with every single cent to be given directly to families affected by Yolanda. The bags come in five different designs inspired by the areas hit by the typhoon: Cebu, Leyte, Palawan, Samar, Iloilo. The bags also show the word “Bangon Pilipinas.” Chely said her groups have started compiling information on families from the  provinces to make sure help can reach them.

To order, e-mail [email protected].

Buy or sell an artwork

The Tumblr account ArtforHaiyan.tumblr.com compiles details about different artists selling their creations for the benefit of the typhoon victims. There are paintings, drawings, photographs, comics, papercraft and more. The site can help you promote the creations you want to sell for this great cause, too.

Fill a shoebox with love

After Tropical Storm “Ondoy” hit in 2009, Erica Paredes started a shoebox gift drive for the holidays, in an effort to make sure typhoon survivors got essentials plus a little gift for Christmas. She and her The Powder Room partner Margaux Cortez are reviving their Christmas Shoebox Love project to bring cheer to the victims of Yolanda this coming Christmas. They are asking people to grab a shoebox and fill it with a face towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, flip-flops, soap, canned goods, candles, matches, a bottle of water and one special item—a book or a coloring book and crayons or a new shirt, any item that can bring cheer to its recipient.

“Fill your box up as much as you want or can!” said Erica. Include a handwritten note, wrap your shoebox, add a ribbon if you wish. Don’t forget to indicate if the box is for a child, a man or a woman. You can prepare as many shoeboxes as you want. Erica said, “We’d like to encourage you to spread the word to your friends and family and even workmates. If you work for a company, maybe you can talk to HR staff and ask them to ask each employee to create just one box. This is a great way to get your kids involved, too!”

When your boxes are ready, contact 0917-3059091 (Katipunan and Mandaluyong), 0917-8444289 (Makati and Parañaque) and 0927-6234490 (Bonifacio Global City). You can drop off your boxes until Dec. 13.